An Extension, not an Exemption

In his book, "Traveling Light, Eugene Peterson writes, "Paul will not permit us to compensate for neglecting those nearest us by advertising our compassion for those on another continent. Jesus, it must be remembered, restricted nine-tenths of his ministry to twelve Jews because it was the only way to redeem all Americans. He couldn't be bothered, says Martin Thornton, with the foreign Canaanites because his work was to save the whole world. The check for the starving child must still be written and the missionary sent, but as an extension of what we are doing at home, not as an exemption from it."

Earlier in Peterson's book he quotes from John Updike's novel, "The Coup." A U.S. embassy official, Don X. Gibbs, is murdered in his attempt to deliver a load of American junk food to the drought-ridden land of Kush. His wife later reflects, "I've forgotten a lot about Don...actually I didn't see that much of him. He was always trying to help people. But he only liked to help people he didn't know."

Life, and ministry in the context of life, is messy. As 21st century, North American Christians we have worked hard not to "do" messy. We have believed the lie that if we are good enough, life won't be messy; if we make enough money, life won't be messy; if we get enough education, life won't be messy. But the reality is, life is messy. And seeking to live out a relationship with Christ in the daily-ness of our lives is messy. And pointing people to Jesus is messy. And actually being in relationship with people is messy. That is why, it seems to me, we find it much easier to write the check or send the missionary than to engage the actual people in our lives.